Catalonian Fiestas

Tag

Who hasn't, at least once, dreamed of attending glamorous,
exclusive parties, with VIP guests? While awaiting an invitation,
here's another proposal to distract you: a whirlwind of
entertaining, special events that is bound to be a memorable
experience.

Head to Catalonia, in Northeast Spain, during the last
week of September: the whole region gets transformed into
a long, dazzling party. Centered in the capital of
Barcelona, the fun spreads to Sitges and arrives all the way to
Tarragona. It's the Festa de la Mercè, the patron Saint of
Barcelona, and is the festival to end all festivals: piazzas are
filled with crowds that run from the ramblas all the way to the
port in an explosion of colors, sounds and spectacles.

While it goes on for just a few days, the calendar is chock full
of events: from the Fireworks Festival to the Mediterranean
Artist exhibition, from the Barcelona Arts di Carrer - the festival
celebrating street theater and dance, to BAM, the city's
most important independent musical festival. It's all accompanied
by traditional performances, with breathtaking human castles and
giants made from paper-maché.
Emilia Danieli, Vogue Italia, September 2010 (n. 721), p.
214